- April 26, 2024
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Ginny Whitney and Anne Gassett arrive with their signs.
Wearing white and purple for unity, more than 50 people, mostly women, boarded a bus Saturday, Jan. 21, in Ormond Beach to take part in the International Women’s March at Lake Eola in Orlando. Women all over the U.S. and the world marched in support of the March on Washington that day which drew half a million marchers.
“It’s not a protest, it’s a peaceful rally,” said Rita Press, who organized the trip. “Women are concerned about public education, the arts, planned parenthood. I’ve never seen people so fearful or feel so threatened.”
Louise Bosworth said it was not a protest against President Trump, pointing out there was a march last year when Barack Obama was president.
She said she was concerned with issues such as equal pay for equal work, sexual abuse on campus and other issues related to women’s rights and equality.
“We sisters have to stick together,” she said.
Some women, however, pointed out Trump in particular. Nancy Vaughn, of the League of Women Voters, said she was very concerned his statements.
“People say let’s give him a chance, but he’s made it clear he’s going to decimate the environment,” she said. “Everybody I’ve spoken to said we should all stick together for reproductive rights, LGTE rights. We want to show solidarity.”
Press said the bus filled up in only two days and it was by word of mouth.
“This is a historic event,” she said. “I’m not one who goes to protests. I believe in working with people. But when something is happening to threaten democracy you better wake up.”
Important to many of the marchers was education. The person nominated for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, has been a proponent of vouchers for private schools.
Pat Drago, former executive director of Volusia County Schools, said the march will make it known that there are people who care about the institutes of democracy.
“It’s a positive statement for public education and women’s rights,” she said.
Gwen Azama-Edwards, former Daytona Beach city commissioner and city clerk, said she was marching for her family and the country that she loves.
We’re a country of people who migrated here,” she said. "We want America to continue to be great.”
